IN some forgotten grove of France I know we met as lovers, long ago, And where the sunshafts with the flowers dance We lived our little span of love's romance. This is not fancy, dear, were this not so, How could we each upon this moment know Love's heart so well? How could we understand? When first I saw you in the twilight's glow, I also saw that dim, forgotten land, And then I knew we had not met by chance. For in your eyes the harebells found their shine, The mellow sunshine, dreaming down the leas, Is prisoned in your face; the slender vine Which once you knew so well, has left its wine, A boon to your rare spirit; while the breeze That came with perfume from the southern seas Found, long ago, a home within your hair: And to your supple form the steadfast trees Bequeathed their stateliness. — Ah, sweetheart fair, It was in France you gained your grace divine. Perhaps we two shall live and love awhile, And then return where once we loved before: Whatever fate's design, I know your smile Will give me strength to live each weary mile Of life's eternal highway; I will love the more, Though stranger paths we walk beyond death's door; But if our course leads through a thousand spheres I still will recognize and still adore The grace you gained in those forgotten years When we two loved in France in guiltless guile. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...BOADICEA; AN ODE by WILLIAM COWPER THE HOUSE OF LIFE: 74. ST. LUKE THE PAINTER (OLD & NEW ART) by DANTE GABRIEL ROSSETTI SMILE AND NEVER HEED ME by CHARLES SWAIN ON THE DEATH OF THE REV. MR. GEORGE WHITEFIELD, 1770 by PHILLIS WHEATLEY ODES: BOOK 1: ODE 6. HYMN TO CHEERFULNESS by MARK AKENSIDE MORNING STAR by HARRIET R. BEAN DEAD AUTUMN by BEULAH ALLYNE BELL |